Basham, Hilary, DO

Dewar, Kate M, DO

Greenburg, Marna R, DO, MPH

Rupp, Valerie A, RN, BSN

Weigner, Michael, MD

Lehigh Valley Health Network: LVHN Scholarly Works

Lehigh Valley Health Network LVHN Scholarly Works Department of Emergency Medicine Patient Attitudes Regarding Consent for Emergency Department Computed Tomography Scans Michael Weigner MD Lehigh Valley Health Network, Michael_B.Weigner@lvhn.org Hilary Basham DO Lehigh Valley Health Network Kate M. Dewar DO Lehigh Valley Health Network Valerie A. Rupp RN, BSN Lehigh Valley Health Network, Valerie.Rupp@lvhn.org Marna R. Greenburg DO, MPH Lehigh Valley Health Network, marna.greenberg@lvhn.org Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarlyworks.lvhn.org/emergency-medicine  Part of the Emergency Medicine Commons Published In/Presented At Weigner, M., Basham, H., Dewar, K., Rupp, V., & Greenberg, M. (2010, March 28). Patient attitudes regarding consent for emergency department CT scans. Poster presented at: ACEP Research Forum, Las Vegas, NV. Weigner, M., Basham, H., Dewar, K., Rupp, V., & Greenberg, M. (2010, March 28). Patient attitudes regarding consent for emergency department CT scans. Poster presented at: ACEP, Harrisburg, PA (April 12, 2011) This Poster is brought to you for free and open access by LVHN Scholarly Works. It has been accepted for inclusion in LVHN Scholarly Works by an authorized administrator. For more information, please contact LibraryServices@lvhn.org. Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PennsylvaniaWith increasing awareness of physicians and layperson in regards to the radiation exposure associated with computed tomography (CT) scans, it is unclear whether a formal patient consent process for CT’s should exist. The existing literature does not reflect the current attitudes of patients regarding this important issue. We set out to assess patient attitudes about obtaining informed consent regarding emergency department (ED) CT scans. Patient Attitudes Regarding Consent for Emergency Department Computed Tomography Scans  Michael Weigner, MD; Hilary Basham, DO; Kate Dewar, DO; Valerie Rupp, RN, BSN; Marna Rayl Greenberg, DO, MPHObjective: Results:The median respondent age was 60 years or older, with a nearly even proportion of men to women (51%:49%). Ninety percent identified themselves as white or non-Hispanic or non-Latino. Ten percent identified themselves as black, African American or other. Ninety-eight percent identified english as his or her primary language. The majority (71%, 36/51) of survey respondents were high school graduates or had some college. Seventy-three percent (35/48) of the subjects did not expect to get a CT and 27% (13/48) did expect to receive a CT during their ED visit on the day they were surveyed. Seventy-three percent (36/49) of respondents felt that patients in the ED should give informed consent before they get a CT scan in the ED and eighty-six percent (42/49) felt either comfortable or very comfortable letting the ED doctor decide if a patient needs a CT scan. Only six percent (3/49) either had themselves or had known of anyone having a problem that was caused by a CT scan. In this pilot study, surveys were distributed over a two month period in fiscal year 2010 by utilizing a convenience sample of patients during weekday hours in a tertiary, suburban level-one trauma center with a yearly census of 74,000 patients. Historically, in this same fiscal year at this site, patients received a CT scan on 25% of their ED visits. Using simple frequency and proportions, we evaluated patients’ attitudes regarding obtaining informed consent prior to performing CT scans in the ED. After obtaining IRB approval, a convenience sample of approximately fifty surveys was obtained which represented a 90% return rate of surveys distributed. Either an ED registrar or a research assistant filled in the triage level on the survey and then gave the survey to the patient or patient’s surrogate to complete. A brief explanation of the study was provided to ensure that participation was voluntary and that subjects were reassured as to the anonymity of their response. The survey consisted of seventeen yes/no or multiple-choice questions, five of which were demographic questions. When completed, the surveys were placed in a sealed envelope and returned to research staff or by mail to the research department.Methods:Conclusions:Based on this pilot study, the majority of emergency department patients feel informed consent should occur before receiving a CT scan and most patients feel comfortable letting the doctor make the decision regarding the need for a CT scan. 

Patient Attitudes Regarding Consent for Emergency Department Computed Tomography Scans

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